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Geodiversity Issues GEODIVERSITY AND QUARRYING
Aggregates are sand, gravel, and crushed rock used by the construction industry. The Project Area is the key area in North Yorkshire for the production of aggregates. In 2003, the nine active quarries in the project area produced approximately 6 million (75%) of the 8 million tonnes of aggregate quarried in the County. Hanson plc, Lafarge and Tarmac Ltd operate the nine quarries. All of the aggregate produced is from crushed rock either greywacke or limestone. Seven of the quarries are located in the southern part of the Yorkshire Dales National Park and one is located in the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Quarrying in such landscape sensitive areas is seen by some groups as highly controversial but the quarries are, however, important to both the national and local economies. This issue requires very careful management. In the Project Area, six of the geological SSSIs, for example Greenhow Quarry and Hambleton Quarry, are former aggregate quarries, and provide evidence of how mineral working can increase geodiversity by exposing previously unseen rock exposures and geological structures.
The geology and geological resources of the area have been used by people who have settled in the area since the end of the last ice age. The landscapes we are so proud of today result from the interaction of this exploitation, the geology, climate and time. The earliest known evidence of human activity in the area has been found in caves in the Yorkshire Dales National Park and is dated to approximately 12,300 BC. Many archaeological sites in the area are recognised as being nationally important and have been protected by being designated as Scheduled Ancient Monuments. A large number of them are also important for their geodiversity. This is particularly true of sites such as Moulds Side in Arkengarthdale, which includes the very impressive Stodart and Hungry Hushes, Dam Rigg Lead Mine and numerous levels, and the complex of lead mine workings on Grassington Moor. For more information go to: www.outofoblivion.org.uk
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GEODIVERSITY AND BIODIVERSITY The rock type of an area is one of the major abiotic factors which determines biodiversity, through its weathering to form soil and its control on the movement of water. Specific habitats with their distinctive plant communities can be related to variations in the surface geology. Many of the habitats in the area are Priority habitats in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UK BAP) and specific habitat action plans have been prepared for them in 'Nature in the Dales – A Biodiversity Action Plan for the Yorkshire Dales National Park ' (2000) and where appropriate in the Local BAPs published or in preparation - Harrogate District BAP, Richmondshire BAP and Craven BAP (outside the YDNP), developed in partnerships led by North Yorkshire County Council and the district councils.
HABITAT TYPES
HABITAT TYPES RELATED TO SURFACE GEOLOGY
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